Bottle-advancing mechanism



Aug. 7, 192s. 1,679,939

F. R. .MAW

BOTTLE ADVANGING MECHANISM 'led Feb. 6, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 jf 35 70 67 J )6, ff

F. R. MAW

BOTTLE ADVANCING MECHANISM Aug. v7, 1928.

Filed Feb. 6, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 F. R. MAW

BOTTLE ADVANCING MECHANISM Aug. 7, 192s. 1,679,939

Filed Feb. 6, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 7, 1928. 1,619,939

F. R. MAW

BOTTLE ADVANCING MEGHANISM Filed Feb. G, 1924 8 Sheets-Sheet s Aug. 7, 1928.

F. R. MAW

BOTTLE ADVANGING MECHANISM 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Feb. 6, 1924 E VVE/vrom 579.2@ wmf. 5 Afro/@wifi Aug. 7, 1928. 1,679,939

. F. R. MAW

BOTTLE ADVANCING MECHANISM /P- af /1 Troy/wins.

Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

urreo STATES PATENT` OFFlCE.

FRANCIS R. MAW, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSlIG-NOR TO RICE da ADAME CORPORA- TION, E" BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

BOTTLE -ADVAN CING ME CHANISM.

Application led February 6, 192e. Serial No. 69-996.

the capping; mechanism oit a hottie filling and cappingl macliine. y p

'.lhe objects of this invention are to pro ride a bottle advancing mechanism of iinprored construction, including' a reciproca tory 'lecd men'lher which is readilyT adjustable to operate on hotties of different sizes and to compensate tor Wear in the parts oit the mechanism; also lto provide guide means for the hotties which can lJc readily adjusted to adapt the machine to operate on bottles ot ditlerent sizes; also to provide means'of improved constrncthin for causing the iin- ,eers ot the leed member to cooperate With hotties ot different sizes; also to improve the construction ot hottie advancing mechanisms in other respects hereinafter specilicd.

ln the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l. is a fragmentary top plan View, partly in section, ot a hottie lilliner and capping; machine provided with a hottie adyancinir mechanism embodying the inven-` tion.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation thcreot on an enlarged scale, on line 2-2, Fia'. S. y

il is a fragmentary top plan View thereot, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, showing the path of the bottles from the rotary table to the reciprocatory con yeyor0 Fig. il is a sectional elevation thereot showing;` a reciprocatory 'leed har carriage which 1to1-ms a part oi' the reciprocatingr conveyor, and a detlec'l'or tor grl'iidinp; the bottles from the rotary tahle to the conveyor'.

Fins. 5 and (i are fragmentary sectional plan viens thereof showing one oit the sprinmactuated hottie-engaging lingers of the ilfeed har in tivo different positions.

F 7 is a 'fragmentary transverse section thereof. on line i-T, Fig..5.

Fic; 8 is a ilraggmcntary sectional elevation ot a part ci the adjusting means for one of the faire hars, on line 8--8,' Fig. 3. p

F l) is al liragmentary top plan view, similar to Fig'. l, hat showingV some of the partel in dilterent positions. i

Fing. l0 a sectional elevation thereof on an enlarged scale, on .line lll-l0, Figg. 9.

Fig'. "il is a sectional elevation on an enlarged scale, oit' a portion of the reciprocating mechanism.

Fig. l2 a similar sectional elevation, showing some ot the pa ot' the mechanism in ditl'erent positions.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view thereof, partly in section.

Fig. 14: is a fragmentary sectional elevation thereof on line lei-lh Fig. ifi, showing a part of thc mechanism for adjnstingl the machine to operate on hotties et diflcrcnt sizes.

Fig. l5 is a side elevation ot the structure shown in Fig. lei, partly Vhrolren away to more clearly disclose the parts.

Fig. 1G is a iliragmentary rear cleyation, partly in section, showing part of the adjusting and indicating.; mechanism 'for adapt-- ing the machine to operate on bottles ot ditferent sizes.

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional plan 'View thereoiifon line lil-17, F ig; lll.

Fig. 1 8 is a iliragmenta sectional end ele vation thereof, on line lli-18, Fig'. l2, lookA ing in thc direction indicated by the arrows 1.8, and Fig. 19 is a section on the same Vline looking in the opposite direction, indicated by the arrows lil.

Fig. 2O is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation thereot, on line 20--20, Fig. ll.

2l is a fragmentary `side elevation thereof, partly `in section, on line 2l-s2l, Fig. 20.

`The mechanism embodying my invention, shown in the accompanying drawings, may he used in connection with any machine in `which bottles, cans or the like are moved from one part oil? the machine to another part. rlhe mechanism is particularly adaptable 'for use in connection with the handling oi milk bottles, since in machines ot this kind it is necessary to change trequently trom one size ol bottles to another. lt will he understood that while the mechanism is described as adailitcd particularly tor use in connection with mill; hotties, it is not there hyintended to limit the invention to such use only. The drawings show the mocha nism applied to a machine 'for iillincg the milk into the bottles and then capping,r the bottles, such, tor example, as shown in my copendingl application No. 587,271, tiled Sleptemher l1, 1922. i

i Referring to F ig. l ci the drawings, A..

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'each of the bottle-reeeivinor represents a rotary .bottle-receiving table having a plurality of pockets or recesses a into which the bottles may be inserted by means. of a rotary sweep wheel or position- A, as shown in my before-mentioned application. The positioning of the bottles on the I table by the sweep wheel'B is effected in conjunction with a guide finger or` curved bar C, which is adjustable in order to enable the sweep'wheel B to operate on bottles of different sizes. The bottles are discharged from the rotary table A by means of a curved defiector D which extends intoL the path of movement of the bottles on the rof tary table and causes the bottles to move into astraight path between a pair of oppositely disposed adjustable guide bars or plates and 26. The bottles upon reaching the straight `path between the guide bars are acted upon by a reciprocating conveyor member or bar F Ving webs or vposite faces of a guide rib or track 33 formed 'a slot in the table.

mechanism which serves the two-fold purpose of advancing the bottles to a capping mechanism arranged in operative relation to the straight path, and which is not shown in these drawings, and of positioning a plurality of bottles in such a manner that they will be correctl presented to the capping mechanism so that lthe capping mechanism may act upon a pluralit of bottles at one time. Afterk being actec upon by the capping mechanism, the bottles ass over a semi-circular path 27 and are p aced upon a platform 28-0n the front part of the machine, where they maybe removed by hand or by any other suitable means.

The bottles, after entering between the guide plates 25 and 26, are engaged by means of fingers E mounted onl a reciprocating feed y and are carried along the straight path between the two guide plates. This feed bar may be of any suitable or desired construction, ,that shown in the drawings, see particularly Figs.- l0 and 18, has a horizontal, upper portion 30 having dependflanges 31 and 32 engaging opon a table G which is suitably mounted on the frame' of the machine. This table is provided Lwith a. groove on one side of the guide rib 33 into which the flange 32 extends and the opposite flange 31 extends through The flange 3l has secured thereto a bracket 35, see particularly Figs. 4 and 18, which has a laterally disposed web or extension 36 engaging the underside of the rib 33 and which helps to guide the feed bar in its reciprocatory movement. The feed bar F is adapted to bc reciprocated from a position adjacent to the rotary table A to a position nearer to the other end of the straight path between the guide bars 25 and 26, and when in a position adjacent to the rotary table, the fingers E of the feed -bar arrange themselves one behind each of the filled bottles, and on thel return stroke of the feed bar, the fingers carry the bottles to the capping position, an additional finger E being preferably provided in advance of the three fingers E used for feeding the filled bottles which is adapted to engage the bottles which have already `been capped to push'the same beyond the capping mechanism. By forming the reciprocating feed bar so that the same. can carry a plurality of bottles at one time, for

example, three bottles, as in the construction shown in the drawings, the movement of the feed bar need not be very rapid, so that no liquid is spilled from the bottles while being moved by the feed bar, and at the same, time the capacity of the machine may be increased beyond that of machines now used without materially increasing the size of the machine.

The bottle-engaging fingers may be of any suitable construction such that they may be deficcted out of the path of movement olf the bottles when the feed bar is moving toward the rotary table A. The fingers shown in the darwings, see particularly Figs. 34T, cooperate with spring mechanisms arranged in housings 40 which are sexured by means of screws, or otherwise, in spaced relation on the feed bar F. At one side of each housing and facing toward the path of the bottles is an aperture 4l through which the finger E extends. The finger is pivoted on a stud 42 secured to the feed bar adjacent to the. aperture 4l and the .finger also has a lateral lug or hook 43 arranged within the housing and with which one end of a plunger rod 44 is connected. A plunger 45 is .secured to the other end of the plunger rnd and a coil spring 46 is arranged between the plunger 45 and an inwardly extending wall or part 47 of the housing, so that the, spring normally swings the finger into the extended position shown in Fig. 5, but permits the finger to be swung into the position shown in Fig. 6 when passing a bottle. Consequently when the feed bar moves toward a group of bottles which bare been discharged from the rotary table, the fingers E are deflected by thc bottles until the feed bar has reached the limit of its streke. The fingers are then returned to their extended positions by the springs 4G and will antomatically arrange then'iselves each behind a` bottle. Stop pins 49 are provided for limiting the extent to which the bottle-enga;.fing fingers may be swung by the spring 46. A cover plate 50 is preferably arranged over iii il il Athot portion oit the guide rib removed ttroin the rotary table A eo os to protect thiel portion oit `the guide rih 'froinposeibie dinnrnge doe to broken gloss or the like. tlprng tingen-i oi other suitable construction noo-y be employed, il.I desired.

lllleznie ore provided for moving); Athe hottie guide here en d E26 tower-d eind 'from @zich other eiinnltzineonely and :riso at the Sonie time movingl ond li'iniintnfining' the de'i'le1tor l) ,in olinen'ient with the hor 25,:1nd this odjustine; mechanism nfeiierobl)Y :riso @hangen the position olf die hottie guide lingers C eo that h v nmliinr e Single mijnstinent :1li of the parte nnigv be positioned lor bottles ol. e particular sii/ie. in the (tenerti-notion shown, these odjnrfiliing ineens include o horiZonloiij,Y owino'ing hond lever il, See pinft-ienioriy Fig l, ond 9. @ne end of this hond. lever lined on o. stud which ie pivoted on the roble or support (l. ',lhe lower ond oli' Athis,` stnd is provided with o, lined orni 54; which is pivotolly connected to e connecting iini 55 extending lengthwise oil the inflehine nnderneeth the roble G. The conneetine link 55 is; Connected to one of the errno oi @zieh ol three heil ernnlf. lerereI 5G, 57 ond 53 vvliieh. ore pivoted et G0, (El ond (3Q, respectively, on the inhie Gr. The other erin oil: tivo ol" the heil eronire 5G and 5f? :ire oon-- neeted to Athe bottle `guide hor .26 sind the other erin of 'the heil eranic 58 is pivotsfillj,T connected Ato o` rod (i3, the other end of the rod beine; Connected to o depending iiingrer oli the guide her 2, as shown in lligr. ffl. de Will bei neen hy referring' to Figo. lV end El, o. evi/inging nioveinent of the lever H will nieve the guide here 25 and 2G toivord or from oooh other through the inediinn olf the links in d heil ero/ni; levers deeerihed. in the nloelrine Shown in the drawings, the table G in provided below the lever H with o pin roiitjr oli holes (l5, three being; shown, into which o plunger or other pertoit the lever il ie adopted to enter to hold the lever in di lien ont positionss, depending; upon the eine 07E bottles heineT :rated npon by the n'mfhline. oneeonently the parte controlled by lthe lever lll". 'may be qnirldjv adjusted for operan',- ingr on hottlee ol di'iierent sizes, for exemple, quorte, pints or holt pints, by `merel"` ehi'liting;f the lever lil into o position in which o port thereof will. enter into onoor another ol- 'lhe holes 65,

The deileetor l) nur, be of any desired eonsslzrnetimi, that Shown including" e hottleengaging upright woll il ent owzrv ot its onier or enrved port, on niioivn et 72, to persio-o therethrough ol ports oit the roi :l il. The lower portion oiv the otroioht port of the imttle-en,sionino4 'weil Tl receoeed or eidended laterally te indicated :rtl Tl, to oiliord free prolonge beneath the deileelzor of the leed her F ffind the parte mounted thereonu The inner ioee et the recessed portion 73 further provided with o, depending 'weil or guide Tel rvhieh adopted to deflect the outer iingger lil ol" the -feed hor :Le it ponsen over the rotorjv roble A, `eo that it will he held ontI oil? the wey' of inutiles eenling); into the straight poi-i Yewoy until these iiiottiee here been eonli V i removed froin the rotary l'ehie.

The delleetor is preifelohly mounted on ihe toble or support Gr by Ineens; oi ,ei-renie 7G Whieh pose through siete 77 in the trible :1nd into e trzinnveree linir- G7 ol the guide bei? adjusting nieehonisin, tineI link being,r pivoted lo on erin 66 olf the Stud 53, so that e lin'lited transverse edjneinienl. of the de- 'i'ieetor ie peri'nitted, the @lote oleo eerving to guide Athe deiieetor in iteI inoven'ient. The inorelnent oil the hottie` lfroin the rotnry tobie il Vto the table (l in assisted by the recensies or Lmide poeh/te o. on the rotary tehie, no that these recessen, together with, the delleel'or D, serve to position the bottles on the table (l Where they may be token op by the lingers E. In order to prevent the dec lie/eter D from binding :in the Slots in the table when. the de'ieetor ie moved to ite various posit-ione, :L Second link or bor GS ii: connected withv the linkv (57, proferoblj,7 in erich o manner than", the eeeond link (3S extends obove the linir o7, this; being; done in libe construction iiioetreted by interposzingj o sleeve or poet, of) between the tivo linke. The other end ot the linic ('58 :in eonneeied Vto e depending; linger T0 oit the deileetor l), eo ihnt the detieetor ie moved by the two linirs .einniitoneonsly with the two guide here and remains; eolnetentinliy in olinelnent 'with the grinfie bor 25.

In order to enohle the edjnntinent ot lthe hond lever ll to elieel: ti e ndjoetinent o the bottle guide finger C, the followin construe- Y tion ie preierobiy need.

The delleetoi.' D ie provided with o interni erin or extension i8 to which :r link iii is; pivoted, shown, in Figs. Ll J end l0. The other end of this link is connected by menne oil ai, pin 80 to zin erin 82. iiiornling e part of the hottie tguide linger C., So that ihe movelnent of the hond lever il ie troneinitted through the delieetor to the erm 82 of the hottie guide linger C.

The deiieetor D preferably provided with mijns'l'ehie Ineens iifor holding the ontermoet linger E :inny 'from the bottles 1while the feed her l? ie :it the onter end of ite stroke adjacent lio the rotary filling' trible. it nioy be neeeeenry when 'the meehine is opererting on smell hottlee, lio hold 'the onterinoet linger :ovary 'from the bottles for e longer period thon when oi'ieroting on longer hottieefor the reni-ion that the centers ot smaller bottles nre elw-sei.' liopgethei.' in the A'nidewoy their thoee of larger bottles, leinee without, euch edjin ohio ineens the enter linger moy i'eed two bottiee instead of one, ond thns foil to lol .lill

fil

aline the bottles with the capping devices. For this purpose, an adjustable finger-retaining bar 85 is provided which is slidably mounted on the defiector D. see particularly Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This adjustable deflector is in the form of an upright plate which extends parallel and adjacent to the fixed depending wall or guide 711 of the det-lector beyond the outer edgeof the depending wall 74. In the construction shown, this adjustable deflector has a projecting part 86 which extendsthrough a slot in the horizontal offset portion or wall 73 of the deflector. The adjustable deflector may be moved toward andA from the rotary filling table by means of a lug or projection 87 extending i upwardly from Ythe projecting part 86 and formed integral therewith and the adjustable detector maybe held in any adjusted position by means of a pin 88 adapted to engage in anyone ofthe series of holes 89 arranged in the detector D. This pin is preferably pressed into its holding position by means of a spring 90 arranged in the recess or hole in the lug or boss 87 and a knob or handle 91 is formed at the upper end of the pin 88 vso as to facilitate the moving of the nin out of a hole in the deflector D. Consequently when the machine is used in connection with small sized bottles the pin 88 is preferably placed in the hole 89 which is furthest removed from the rotary table A, as shown in Fig. 3. When operatin on larger bottles. the pin is placed into ioles situated nearer to the rotary table. Any other means for holding the adjustable member a desired position may be employed.

vAny capping mechanism which may be used in connection with this machine will consist of a plurality of capping devices which are spaced at definite distances from each other and the capping mechanism itself will be mounted in a fixed position on the machine. Consequently, in order to yposition bottles of different sizes accurately `under the capping devices, `so that each bottle will be centered wi'th reference to one of the capping devices, the movement of the feed bar F must be different for different sizes of bottles. The stroke of the feed bar must be greater when operating on the small bottles than when operating on large bottles, and also the increase in the stroke of the feed bar must be greater to- Ward the bottle filling table A than toward the capping mechanism. Consequently, to

Vadjust Vthe machine for operation on bottles of different sizes, it is necessary to change thelength of the stroke of the feed bar and also to 'adjust the path of movement thereof.

The mechanism for accomplising these results is preferably constructed as follows:

The bracket of the feed bar F is prv otally connected toone end of a link 9o,

the opposite end of which is pivotall y connected to a lever 96 fixed to one end of a shaft 97, see Figs. 11, 12, 13, 20 and 2l. This shaft is provided at its other end with an arm 98 also rigidly secured thereto and extending substantially parallel to the rocking lever 9G. In order to produce the desired movement of the feed bar l when the machine operating on different sizes of bottles, the position of the shaft 97 upon which the rocking lever secured must be changed in such a manner that the lever swings about a different center and also the throw or swinging movement of the lever about the axis of the shaft 97 must be varied.

The adjustment of the shaft 97 to change the point about which the rocking lever 9G swings is preferably effected as follows:

rhe shaft 97 is suitably journalled in a bearing 100 which is mounted to slide lengthwise of the machine upon a guide member 101, secured on a frame member 102 of the machine. The guide member 101 has a central, longitudinally extending recess 103 into which an extension of the bearing enters, and the guide member is also provided with downwardly and laterally extending bearing portions 101 with which bearing faces on the upper part. of the bearing 100 engage. The bearing 100 is held in engagement with the bearing projections 101 of the guide member by means of bars 105, Fig. 20, arranged at opposite sides of the bearings and held in place thereon by means of bolts or the like. The bearing` 100 has an upwardly extending lug portion 107 which enters Iinto the longitudinal recess 102') of the guide member 101 and which is provided with a threaded. hole through which a. threaded rod or shaft 108 extends. The, ends of this threaded rod are journalled in downwardly extending bearing` portions 109 and 110 of the guide member 101 and consequently by turning the shaft 108, the bearing 100 on which the rock arm 90 journalled may be moved lengthwise of the, inachine, as indicated in Figs. 1G and 21. 'ihe turning of this shaft to position the bearing 100 may be accomplished by any suitable or desired means. ln the ctmstruction shown, the end of the shaft 108 provided with a bevel gear 112 which meshes with a. bevel gear 113. The bevel gear 11.3 is arranged at the lower end of a shaft 1liand a. gear 115 .is secured to the upper end of this shaft and meshes with a gear 11C mounted on a shaft 117. This latter shaft 117 extends forwardly through a wall or cover plate 118 of the machine and is provided at its front end at 119 with means for engaging with a crank or other device for turning the shaft 117.

Means are preferably provided for indieating when the bearing 100 has been moved into the desired position, these indicating lllli ull means being particularly desirable for the reason that a nrunber of revolutions of lthe shaft 117 is :necessary in order to effect the desired adjustment ot the bearing 100. .ln the construction shown for this "purpose, the bearing;l 100 has pivotally connected thereto a link 120,. the otlicr end o1 which lis connected to one arm ot a bell crank lever 121 pivoted at 122 on a fixed part ot the trame oit the machine. rlhe other arm of the bell crank lever 121 is connected pivotally to one end ot a link 1225, the other end ot which connected to an arm 1241 ol an indicating` linger 125, the indicating finger being pivoted at 126 on a lined part ot the trame of the machine. The end of the indieatingv linger is provided with an indicating pointer which preferably extends into a slot 12( formed in the side 'wall or plate 118 of the machine and `graduations or marks are provided on the plate 116 adjacent to the slot 12T to cooperate with the indicating end oli the linger 125 to show the various desired positions oil thebearing` 100. Any other means for indicating the position of the bearing' member 100 may be provided, it desired.

The mechanism for adjusting the throw ot the swinging lever 96 may be ot any suitable or desired. kind. In the construction shown in the drawings, this .mechanism in* cludes a connecting; rod 130, one end oit which is connected with the arm 98 secured to the shaft o1 the swinging; lever 96. '.lhe end ot the connecting),I rod 130, which is connected with the arn'i 98 provided with ay looped end portion 131 having an opening; through which the arm 953 extends. The arm 98 is provided `with a sleeve 132 slidably arranged on the arm 9S and having;- Yruimions or bearing lugs 133 extending laterally trom opposite sides thereof. The trunnious or lugs are journalled in bear* inns 131 formed in the looped end portion 131 ot the connecting rod. Consequently, the reciprocation ot the connecting' rod 130 is transmitted tothe arm 98 causing the saine to swingr, and also the end ofthfecon nectine' rod may be slid lengthwise on the arm 9S by means oit the sleeve 12:52.

The connecting' rod 130 may be actuated u, impart an oscillatingl or swinging movement to the arm 96 in any suitable or desired innnnerQ In the construction shown, the cmuiectinq,1 rod is pivotally connected to a pair oi: crank pins 136 formed on cranks 16T and 13S which are rigidly secured to shats 1410 respectively. The shaft 139 is jiournalled in the lree end of a swinging` luisring,- member or bracket 142, having bearing lues or projections 1413 in which this sha-tt is joui-nailed. The other end oit the boei-ine; bracket 1/1-2 is provided with bcari o; lues or extensirins 1.44,- in which vthe sha-ll l0 is jourualflod. The interniedicts portion ol the shaft 1410 is journalled in a bearing,l 115 'formed in a bearing pedestal 111,6 which is suitably secured on a part 147 on the traine of the machine. Consequently the. crank shat't 110 also acts zs a pivot about which the bearing member 1&2 swings. `The two shats 139 and 1110 are provided at the ends thereof opposite to the cranks 137 and 138 with sprocket wheels 1118 and 149 which are connected by means of the sprocket chain 150, whereby the two shafts 139 and 1&1() turn simultaneously and in the same direction. The turning-ot the two shafts is effected by means oit a bevel gear 152 which engages with another bevel gear 153 1nountedon the shaft 140. This bevel gear 152 is mounted on the end of a shaft st which may be driven by any suitable means, not shown. Other means 'for imparting,l a reciprocatory motion to the connecting rod 130 may be employed, if desired.

In order to adjust the throw or travel of the swinging lever 96, and consequently also that of the :toed bar F, the position of the pivoted bearing member or bracket 142 is `Changed by swinging the same about the axis oit the shaft 140, and this may be done by any suitable or desired means. In the consti-notion shown, an upright bearing member or housing; 160 is rigidly mounted upon the frame member or part 102 ot' the machine, and a sliding member 161 is `fertically movable within the housing 160, see particularly Figs. 11 to 17 inclusive. The vertically slidable member 161 is provided with laterally extending bearing parts 163 and 16st which engage `the outer tace ot the housing 160 and which are slidably held ou the outer face of the housingby means of plates 165 and 166 secured to the housing by any suitable means, such as machine screws`167. The outer part of the slidable member 161 is provided with a pair of outwardly extending` bearing' lugs 1.68 connected by a pivot pin 169 on which one end of link 170 is pivoted. The other end oit this link 170 is pivoted on the shaft 139 which. is journalled in the end of' the pire oted beiiringmember or b aeket 141-2. Consequently, when the slidable member 161 is in its lowest position, the parts will occupy the positions shown in Fi 11, and when the slidable member is aised, the parts will take the positions shown in Fig. 12, tlnis decreasingl the stroke oit the swinging' lever 96.

Any'suitable means may be ijirovided 'lor adj listing the position oit the slidable member 161. In the construction shown for this purpose, a threaded shaft 175 is journallcd in the housing,r member 160 and this shaft engages a correspondingly threaded 'portion ot the slidable member 1.61. The shaft 17 5 entendis upwardly 'through the upper Wall oi' the housing 160 and is provided at 'the upper eind with a bevel L* 11i( 'ii/'bieb vmoved up or down as desired, to change the r.position of the connecting rod 180 relativevon bottles of a particular' size.

ly to the arm 98 of the swinging lever 96.

yMeans are preferably also provided for indicating the position of the vertically slidablemember so thatan operator may know vwhen vrthe machine is adjusted for operating In the construction shown Vfor this purpose, a pin or rod 185 is secured to the slidable member 'Y and extends out of the housing 160 through a slot 186. therein, the rod in the construc tionshown being secured to a lug or eXtension 187 of the slidable member. The outer end of this rod is connected with the lower end of a link 190, the upper end of which is pivoted to an arm 1,91 which is` rigidly connected to an indicating finger 192, similar to 'the'indicat'ing finger 125 used in connection with the mechanism for changing the pivot of the swinging lever 96, the indicating finger 192 being pivoted at 193 on a fixed bearing secured to the frame of the machine. The endof the finger is visible through a slot194t in thejwall `of the machine. Other means for indicating the position of the connecting rod 130 relatively to the arm 98 i may be provided, if desired.

c Itis, of course, desirable that the capping device should be operated in unison with the means for swinging the lever 96, and preferably this movement of the eapping device is effected by means of the same mechanism which imparts movement to the swinging 'lever 96. The capping mechanism `is n ot fully shown on the accompanying drawings, but Figs. 11 and 12 show a pair of" vertically movable rods 195 which are intended to actuate the capping devices, and a. cross bar 196 isrigidly secured to the lowerends of the rods 195. The capping mechanism is actuated by raising and lowering the rods 195 and for this purpose a link 197 is connected to the cross bar 196. The other end .of this link is connected to a bell crank lever 198 pivoted at 199 on a part of theiframe of the machine. The bell crank llever is swung about its pivot by means of a link 200 which is connected with a crank 201 secured on a shaft 202. This shaft is driven bymeans of a bevel gear 203 which meshes ,wit-h a bevel gear 204 arranged on an upright shaft 20,5. `The lower end of this upwhich imparts movement to the connecting rod 130. By means of this construction the capping mechanism is actuated by the same mechanism which actnates the swinging lever 96 and the bottle feed bar l?. Other mechanism for accomplishing this result may be used if desired.

Means are preferably provided for mounting the actuating mechanism for actuating the feed bar and capping mechanism on the frame of the machine in such a manner that this mechanism can be removed from the frame so that the mechanism can be assembled before mounting the same on the frame and so that it will be readily removable in case adjustment or repair is necessary. For this purpose the pedestal 116 and the frame member 102 are removably mounted upon a `fixed part 208 of the frame of the machine. The fixed frame part 208 is prelera bly pro vided with a raised portion or key 209 forming a seat for accurately positioning the pedestal 1116 thereon. The pedestal may be se cured tothe fixed frame part 208 by any suitable means, such as threaded screws or bolts (not shown), and similar means may be provided for securing the frame member 102 to the side of the fixed frame part 208. The frame member 102 is preferably also bolted or otherwise secured to a fixed part 210 of the frame. Then it is desired to rcmove the 'feed bar actuating mechanism as a unit, the pedestal and the frame part 102 are disconnected from the fixed parts of the frame, the lever 96 is disconnected from the connecting rod 95, and other links and shafts are disconnected to release this mechanism from the frame and other parts of the machine, so that all parts mounted on the pcd estal 146 and on the frame member 10E! may be removed from the machine as a unit.

The machine described is simple and strong in construction and quickly adjustable to adapt the machine to operate on bottles of different sizes. The mechanism which is used for adjusting the throw and path of movement of the swinging lever 96 can also be used for compensating for any wear which may take place in the n'iovable parts of the mechanism, since even if the mecha nism has received considerable wear, the bottles can always be brought'. to the correct stopping position by a slight adjustment oi" the shaft 117. By providing separate mechanisms for adjusting the throw and path of movement of the feed bar` the machine can be easily adjusted to meet various conditions ,and to compensate for wear or looseness in the parts of the actuating mechanism for the feed bar.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination of a slidable bottle feed member, a lever connected with said member for actuating the same, a connecting rod for swinging said lever, a pair of cranks Pili l tif) Ilo lll

Lit)

titi

iter actuating,r said connecting rod, and means :tor 'varying the anis et one oit Said cranks relatively to 'the Ylinlcrum oit said lever to change the th'ron olf Said feed member.

2. The combimition ot a Slidable bottle teed member, a lever connected with Said member tor actuating1 the eamo, a connecting rod connected with said lever tor swinging the saine, meane tor actuatingl said connectimg` red, means tor chang-ingr the connection et said connectinnr rod with said lever to vai-5T the thronT ot said t'eed member, and means :l'or adjusting; the tnlcrnm ol said lever to vary the path of movement ot' said lieed i'i'iember.

3. 'lChe combination of a elidable bottle 'reed member, a lever connected with Said member vfor actuatingv the saine, a connecting1 rod lor swinging said lever, a crank 'for actuating' Said connecting rod, a4 Second cranli pivotally connected to Said connecting rod, means lor adjusting;` the Alinlcrnm oit said lever to vary the path et movcn'ient ot Said itecd meiniier, and means 'for varying,r the anis; ot said Second crank relativelyY to the 'itnlcrnni oit said lever to change the throw ot said toed member.

4l. 'lhe combination ot a elidable bottle 'feed member', a lever connected. with Said member tor actuating the Same, a connecting; rod tor swinging eaid lever, a crank for actuating said connecting rod, an adjustable member on which said lever is :talcrnmed whereby the 'fnlcrnm et said lever may be changed to vary the path, of movement oit eaid :teed member, and means tor changing,` the throw oil Said lever.

5. ln a machine for operating on bottles el" diil'erent eines, the coinliiination ot a movable leed men'iber for the bottles, and adjusting 'in-ans 'for varying the path ot movement and `the extent ot movement o'-eaid 'leed memberl to adjust the machine to operate on bottles oit diliferent sizes.

6. ln a machine tor ol'icratinel on bottles el dili'erent sizes, the con'ibination oit a movable teed member tor the bottlee, mechanism tor reciprocatingsaid feed member', means tor varying the path of niovemei'it ot said teed member, and n'ieane :tor varyine,` the throw ot Said leed member, said .means beingl each adjnetablc independently ot each other.

Y. ln a inachii'ie tor operating on bottles et ditl'erent einen, the combination oli a movable ieed member 'tor the bottlee, a lever connected with said feed member tor reciprocating the same, means tor swingingsaid lever, means for changing the fnlcrnin ol said lever to vari7 the path oi movement ot said member, and means for adjusting Said lever and said swinging means relativelj,T to each other `to var v the throw of said lever.

` l5. lfn a machine for operating on bottles ot different sizes, the combination ol a movable Afeed member tor the bottles, znljneting,l means for Simultaneously varying the path ot movement and the extent ot movement oli said leed member to adjust the machine to operate on bottles oli `ditierent sizes, a lever connected with said leed member tor reciprocating the same, a connecting,l rod, a pair et cranks for actnatine' said connecting,l1 rod,..and a sliding' connection between said connecting rod and said lever for swinging the same.

9. ln a machine 'for operating4 on bottles ol different sizes, the combination ot a movable feed member for the bottles, spring V[ingiere mounted on said lieed member and adapted to spring past said bottles when said Aleed member moves in one direction and to engage said bottles-1 to remove the same when said men'iber moves in the other d irect-ion, and a linger-retaining bar mounted on said machine to hold .come ot said tiniijere ont ol' engagement with said bottles until atier said 'feed member has started to move in a direction to leed said bottles.

l0, ln a machine for operating on bottles ot different einen, the combination of a movable 'lf'eed member for the bottles, Spring lineerel mounted. on Said feed member and adapted to spring past said bottles when I@aid leed member moves in one direction and to engage said bottlee to remove the eame when Said member moves in the other direction, a finger-remining bar mounted on said machine to hold some of said lingers ont ot engagement with Said bottles nntil atter leaid teed bar has Started to nieve in. a direction to leed Said bottles, and means lor adjusting the position of the lingerretaining,1 barili accordance with the .einen et 'bottles on which the machine is to be ope rated.

ll. ln a combined filling; and capping inachine having a, bottle filling inechaniam and a capping mechanism, the combination ol a, gmide track for guiding bottles from said lilling; mechanism to said capping mechanism., eaid guide tracl; including, e'nide bare adapted to engage opposite aides oit the bottles, means.; for aimnltaneoneljyT adjusting both ot Said mide bare toward and from each other to adapt the machine to operate on bottles oli diiiierent Sizes, a' pivoted linger tor guiding' bott-lee into operative position on Said filling,iv meel aniein and means connected with and actuated by said adjnstiiig,I means to Swing' aaid guide tinirer on its; pivot to adjust the saine .in accordance with the adjustment o'l' said guide bars.

l2. In a combined filling,` and capping, machine having a rotary bottle filling mechaniem and a calpiping mechanism, the combination of a pivoted linger for raiding bottles into operative relation to said bottle filling mechanism, a deflector for moving said bottles from said bottle filling mechanism, a guide track for guiding said bottles fromsaid filling mechanism to said capping mechanism7 and means for. simultaneously swinging said guide finger on its pivot and adjusting said defiector and said track to adapt the machine to operate on bottles of different' sizes.

13. In a combined filling and capping machine having a .rotary bottle filling mechanism and a capping mechanism, the combination of a deflector for removing bottles from said rotary filling mechanism, apair of guide bars between which the bottlesfare passed after leaving said deflector, and which are disconnected from said defiector and means for simultaneously adjusting said guide bars towards and from each other and for moving said .deflector to maintain the same. in operative relation to said guide bars to enable the machine to operate on bottles of different sizes.

, 14. In a combined filling and capping machine having a rotary bottle filling mechanism and a capping mechanism the combination ofa` finger for guiding bottles into operative relation to said bottle filling mechanism, a deflector for moving said bottles from saidbottle filling mechanism, a guide track for vguiding' said bottles from said filling mechanism to said capping mechanism, a series of links connecting said guide finger, said defiector and said track, and a single lever for shifting all of said links to simultaneously adjust said guide finger,

defiector andrtrack to enable the machine to operate on bottles of different sizes.

l5. In a combined filling and capping machine having a rotary bottle filling mechanism and a capping mechanism, the combination of a finger for guiding bottles into operative relation to said bottle filling mechanism, av deflector for moving said bottles from said bottle filling mechanism, a guide track for guiding said bottles from said filling mechanism to said cappingV mechanism, a series of links connecting said guide nger, said defiectorand said track, a single lever for shifting all of said links to simultaneously adjust said guide finger, defiector andtrack to enable the machine to operate on bottles ofdifferent sizes, and means on said machine for holding said lever in different predetermined positions depending upon the size of the bottles beingl operated upon. l

16. In a bottle advancing mechanism, thc combination of a reciprocatory feed member for advancing the bottles, a lever adapted to swing in a'substantially vertical plane and connected With said feed member, and a bearing member in which said lever is pivoted and which is movable substantially horizontally to change the pivot of said lever' for adapting the machine to operate on bottles of different sizes.

17. In a bottle advancing mechanism vthe combination of a reciprocatory bottle fced member, a lever connected therewith for moving said feed member, a l'iearing in which said lever is pivotcd, means `t'or moving said bearing to change the pivot ot said lever, and indicating means actuated by the shifting of said bearing for indicating the position of said bearing.

1S. In a bottle advancing mechanism the. combination of a reeiproeator \Y bottle feed member, a lever connected therewith for moving said feed member, a bea ring in which said lever is pivoted, a screw threaded member journalled in said machine und engaging said bearing for moving the saine to change the pivot of said lever. and indicating means actuated by the shifting ot said bearing for indicating the position of said bearing.

19. In a machine for' advancing bottles, the combination of a reciprocatory bottle fced member, a lever connected with said member for reciprocating the same, means engaging said lever to aetnate the same, means for adjusting the relative positions of said lever and said actuating means therefor to vary the throw of said lever, and means for indicating the change in throw effected by said adjusting means.

20. The comliination of a slidable feed bar adapted to move bottles of different sizes, a connecting rod connected with said feed har for actuating the same, a pair of cranks with which said connecting rod is connected and which actuate said connecting rod, a swinging frame on which said cranks are pivoted, and means for adjusting the position of said frame to change. the relative positions ofE said connecting rod and said feed bar to change the movement, of said feed bar.

21. The combination of a slidable. feed har adapted to move bottles of di florent sizes, a connecting rod connected with said feed bar for actuating the same, a pair of cranks with which said connecting rod is connected :1nd which actuate said connecting rod, a swinging frame on Which said cranks are pivoted. adjusting means 'for moving said 'trame into different positions for changing the relative positions ofi said connecting rod and said feed bar, and indicating means tor showing the change in adjustment of said connecting rod relatively to said 'feed bar.

9.2. The combination of a slid-able 'feed har adapted to move bottles of different sizes. a connecting rod connected with said feed har for actuating the same, a pair of cranks with which said connecting rod is connected and which actuate said connecting rod` a swinging frame on which said cranks are pivoted, a slide adjustable manually, and a linlf. con

Sii)

necting said slide with said swinging iframe whereby said connectingl rod may be moved into different positions relatively to said feed bar for changing the throw of said feed bar, i

The combination of a sldable feed bar adapted te move bottles ot different sizes, a connecting rod connected with said feed bar for actuating the same, a pair of cranks with which said connecting' rod is connected and which actuate said connecting` rod, a swinging irame on which said cranks are pivoted, a threaded shaft connected with said swinging frame :for changing the position of said i'rame, said shai't being adjustable by hand to vary the position of said connectingir rod relatively to said feed bar.

24. In a bottle advancing mechanism, the combination With a rotary table, of a guide Way in which said bott-les are moved in a substantially straight line, a detiector eX- tending over said rotary table and adapted to move said bottles into said gliiideway, a feed member for advancing said bottles in said guide Way, and means on said detlector to hold said iteed member out of engagement With said bottles until said bottles have moved to predetermined positions on said guidewvay.

25. In a bottle advancing,r mechanism, the combination With a rotary table, oit'. a guide Way in which said bottles are moved in a substantially straight line, a delector eX- tending over said rotary table and adapted to move said bottles into said guide Way, a 'feed member for advancing said bottles in said guide Way, and means on said deilector to hold said feed member out of engagement with said bottles until the bottles have moved into predetermined positions on said guide Way, said means beingV adjustably mounted on said deiector to enable the inachine to operate on bottles oit dilferent sizes.

26. ln a bottle advancing mechanism, the combination with a rotary table, oi a guide Way in Which said bottles are moved in a substantially straight line, a dei'lector eX tending over said rotary table and adapted to move said bottles intosaid tf uide ivayaa feed member :tor advancing said bottles m said guide Way, said deficctor being; recessed 'to permit the passage oit said ieed member, resiliently .mounted lingers on said feed member, means inljustabiy mounted on said deilector to hold said linfal out of engagement with said bottles until said bottles have reached predetermined positions on said guide way, and niieans ior moving said dellector to enable the machine to operate on bottles ot diiierent sizes. y

In a combined illinfg and capping machine hz'iving a rotary bottle illing mechanism and a capping;` mechanism, the combination oit a guide track :tor guiding bottles te said capping mechanism, a curved deiector ior guiding said bottles .trom said iillingr n'iechai'iism to said track, a iXed pivot on said machine, a :linger mounted on said pivot for guiding bottles to said iilling mechanism, links ccnnectinfg,` said track, said deiiector and said finger, and means for shifting; said links to adjust said track and delcctor "to iit diii'erent sizes of bottles discharged ifrom said iiilinp; mechanism, and iger turning; said linger on its pivot to adjust the same to correspond with the adjustment-s of said track and de'flector.

28. in a combined filling and capping machine having,l a rotary bottle lling mechanism and a capping mechanism, the combiation of a pair olf movable guide bars between which bottles from said iillins, mechanism are guided to said capping' mechanism, a movable deliector ifor guiding' bottles from said filling mechanism to and between said guide bars, a iixcd pivot on said machine, a linger mounted thereon and adapted to guide bottles to said capping mechanism, and means ifor simultaneously adjusting said guide bars teu/'arde and from each other and said detlector to correspond to the move ment-s oil one of said bars to lit ditl'erent sizes ci bottles leaving); said iilling; mechanism, and also to swing;- said finger on its pivot to adjust the same to cooperate with bott-les of the same size as that for which said guide bars and said deilector are adjusted.

FRAN CIS R. MAW- 

